Microsoft Reveals two New PowerPoint 2016 Features

November 18, 2015

Microsoft has revealed that the latest version of PowerPoint 2016 Office suite will possess two new creative features, named Designer and Morph, to handle the presentations in a more professional way.

These features will enable the Office 365 users to polish their slides and add eye-catching motion effects to their slide shows.

The first feature, Designer, was created to give an extra command over the presentation rather than sticking to the control system.

Microsoft’s Chris Maloney said that the purpose of creating Designer is to reduce the number of clicks for a particular task and exclude the complexities of advanced controls.

Maloney also explained that Designer will reduce up to 150 essential clicks for a presentation task, ultimately saving the user from stress. Designer will also enable the users to create extraordinary presentations even with a little knowledge of PowerPoint.

To meet the goal, almost 1200 designs have been added to the template. In order to save people from boredom, Designer checks the inserted images and inserts only the useful content related to the task.

Office corporate Vice President Kirk Koenigsbauer stated in a web post:

“The release of these features is the first step towards evolution of Power Point. Designer and Morph are smart tools that will enable users to design like professionals.”

The second innovative feature, Morph, makes transition animations easy to pull off. Two different slides are merged into each other, fading one’s elements through transitions. If there is a chart that expands to two slides, Morph will automatically shrink it to display in one slide.

Long and oddly designed presentations with bouncing texts and weird shades have always been disliked by the audience as well as the presenter. But Morph handles the slides intelligently by smoothly replacing one slide with another.

Users of Office 365 can now tune their PowerPoint to receive the latest updates and enjoy the awesome ride.

Cheki Nigeria Partners MTN on Car Tracking Service

Emmanuel

November 18, 2015

Multinational online car market platform, Cheki, has partnered with MTN, Africa’s largest telecommunication company to introduce car tracking services in Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country.

The service will be rolled out majorly to car dealers in the Northern part of the country, especially Abuja, Kaduna and its environs.

The company announced the solution at its annual Abuja Dealers’ Forum 2015 which was targeted at tackling automobile security issues in Nigeria.

Mr. Ayoola Ajagbe, the SME Account Partner of Enterprise Solution for MTN Nigeria, assured that the machine–to –machine tracking service, which entails the use of a high-tech device, ensures that customers have full control of their vehicles at all times.

He explained that the device comes with state of the art technology which allows users to set and regulate speed limits of their cars.

He said the device can trace the locations of users’ vehicles and shut them down on request if stolen- all from the comfort of the phone.

Hence the days of stolen or lost vehicles are over with the introduction of the devices, which, according to Mr. Ajagbe, played a major role in assisting security operatives in apprehending vehicle thieves.

He also mentioned that the devices have recorded a 98 per cent success rate in assisting customers with vehicle recoveries.

The MTN official affirmed that the machine has been well scrutinized and that it has been approved by the National Communications Commission (NCC).

General Manager of Cheki Nigeria, Mrs. Tomi Hodonu, expressed delight at the security solutions being offered to Nigerians.

“Cheki Nigeria is indeed very proud to be working with a highly respected brand like MTN, especially regarding issues we are very passionate about as an organization,”

she said.

She stated that the company gives the utmost attention to its customers and that it’s ever ready to ensure that they are satisfied and can do business safely and securely.

Director General of the Nigeria Automotive Design and Development Council, Engr. Aminu Jalal, added that the federal government of Nigeria and the council have plans to increase the percentage of local content in the Nigeria Automobile Industry.

Cheki operates in over 9 African countries, acting as a one stop destination for leading car dealers, importers and private sellers post their cars for sale in Nigeria and other African countries.

Fallout 4 and Black Ops III Record Big Sales

John Adebimitan

November 15, 2015

Fallout 4 and Black Ops III were recently released, and these two games have experienced tremendous success in market in just few days after launching.

It was discovered that the Black Ops III has generated revenue of over $550 million in three days, making the shooter game the biggest launch of the year in the gaming industry. The game has beaten the former record holder – Microsoft’s Halo 5.

The Black Ops launched on November 6th and by November 9th, the number of sales rose significantly, and the international acceptability was felt after the company was able to sell this game in all the parts of the world.

The Black Ops III is now the only Call of Duty game which has commanded more hours per player in the space of a week after players logged over 75 million hours in just 3 days, making it the record holder for the most engaging game.

Fallout 4 also enjoyed a measure of success, commanding lots of sales after few days of its release.

Bethesda has announced that the company shipped over 12 million copies of the game on the day the game was launched, making it the most pre-ordered game this year.

If figures are put together, Fallout 4 could be one of the most successful game of the year because the pre-order in the first 24 hours is put in excess of $750 million.

Many retailers who got their shipment have already started informing Bethesda of the interest the game is drawing and how well it can do in market. Bethesda is still rolling out more shipments of the Fallout 4 to meet the high market demand.

The Fallout 4 is now the most successful game from Bethesda after it beat the 7 million shipment and the 3.5 million sales of the Elder Scroll V: Skyrim in 48 hours. The Fallout 4 also set a record for being the most-viewed game launch.

UBTECH Alpha 2 Humanoid Family Robot launched

Emmanuel

November 13, 2015

Humanoid robotics startup UBTECH has announced that it is building the new Alpha 2 humanoid robot, the first ever robot designed for practical household service and companionship.

UBTECH is launching a crowdfunding campaign for the Alpha 2 robot, which is fully programmable and is expected to run on an open-source Operating System.

“We are looking forward to launching the Alpha 2 and fulfilling our dream of enabling every family to have its own intelligent robot,”

said James Chow, CEO of UBTECH.

“We hope our crowdfunding effort will drive both excitement and support for this new technology,”

he added.

UBTECH said the robot provides cloud services and leverages intelligent voice & perceptual systems to receive commands and execute corresponding behaviors.

Hence it is capable of simultaneous interpretation, voice search, visual interaction and providing verbal reminders.

The Alpha 2 robot will offer ultrasonic, touch and pressure sensors in order to provide a responsive, intuitive platform in the same way contemporary smartphones do.

The robot is expected to extend today’s reliable and intelligent technology to a programmable humanoid device with a smart brain and a nimble body. The robot will have unprecedented level of flexibility and efficient movement.

The Alpha 2 robot features a brain that is connected to a cloud that gives it access to a great deal of audio and visual processing power. Using this information, the Alpha 2 can perform tasks such as managing weekly calendars, and engaging in free talks.

The robot can also follow verbal instructions and take high quality photographs and post them to social media.

It can also perform home security monitory alerts, entertain children, guest and pets and report the weather.

In terms of battery life, the Alpha 2 is expected to run for approximately one hour under standard usage before running down. Then it needs to be charged via a wall plug for approximately two hours.

Participating in the Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign saves one $200 (roughly 40,000 Naira) when purchasing the robot as its expected retail price when it begins to ship on February 16 is $700 (about 140,000 Naira).

Samsung’s Virtual Reality Gadget Launched for $99

Emmanuel

November 13, 2015

Samsung’s new Gear VR – a portable virtual reality viewer which was announced in September 2014 – is now ready to start shipping at $99 (about 20,000 Naira).

Pre-orders are open in the United States on Amazon, Best Buy, and Samsung’s sites with orders ready to ship on November 20. Units of the gadget will also be available in Best Buy’s retail locations.

T-Mobile said it will also offer the Gear VR for sale online and in its stores on November 27. AT&T is supposed to join the list but the company is yet to set a specific date for its kick-off of the gadget’s sale.

According to American virtual reality technology company, Oculus, the new Gear VR is approximately 19% lighter than the previous Innovator edition. It added that its ergonomics and touchpads have been redesigned for better and more favourable experience and navigation.

The device is also compatible with Samsung phones, including Galaxy Note 5, Galaxy S6 edge+, S6, and S6 edge.

The Samsung Gear VR is essentially a plastic box with a smartphone which straps to the head. Lenses magnify the smartphone’s screen and make it appear to wrap around one’s field of vision.

Sensors inside the phone and the headset can tell when one turns one’s head, causing the images to change accordingly so that one get the sensation of being in another world.

A good mix of games and videos is expected to help the system take off.

Occulus is predicting creation of new games made specially for VRs- although some are available now while others are “coming soon.”

Gaming titles launching right away include Land’s End by Ustwo Games, Bandit Six: Salvo by Climax Studios and Dead Secret by Robot Invader.

Gear VR owners will also be able to watch the entire catalog of TV shows and movies on Netflix and turn to Oculus Video to catch more than 70 films from 20th Century Fox and Lionsgate and 9,000 videos from Vimeo.

Via the VR gadget, one can explore the terrain of alien-inhabited planets and battle enemy ships in outer space.

Users also will be able to explore more than 200,000 photos in 360-degree views.

Hyundai launches new Luxury Car Brand Genesis

Emmanuel

November 9, 2015

South Korean car manufacturer, Hyundai Motor Company, has launched a new luxury vehicle brand christened the Genesis.

The Genesis will be a stand-alone brand that would operate alongside the core Hyundai marque and the models will be named by combining the letter ‘G’ for Genesis followed by a numerical number depending upon the segment.

Hence, the top-of-the-line Hyundai Equus will now be called the G90 and the current Genesis sedan will be called the G80.

The Genesis brand will also be adorned with a new wing-type emblem that is an evolution of the logo featured on the current Genesis sedan.

Hyundai said the brand will encompass six models, including a new G70 midsize sedan, an upscale SUV and a sports coupe, with all six models launching by 2020.

“We have created this new Genesis brand with a complete focus on our customers who want smart ownership experiences that save time and effort, with practical innovations that enhance satisfaction,”

Hyundai Motor Company Vice Chairman, Euisun Chung, said.

“The Genesis brand will fulfill these expectations, becoming a market leader through our human-centered brand strategy,”

he added.

According to Chung, these

“human-centered” brand strategy will center around four key aspects, namely, “human-focused innovation, refined and balanced performance, athletic elegance in design and a hassle-free customer experience.”

A new Prestige Design Division, headed by Luc Donckerwolke, who was previously responsible for the design of Audi , Bentley, Lamborghini, SEAT and Skoda models at the Volkswagen Group , will oversee development of new products.

Hyundai Motor Group’s chief design officer, Peter Schreyer has been appointed to lead the new division.

The Genesis brand will Initially be on sale in the Korean, Chinese, North American and Middle Eastern luxury car markets.

The brand will however expand its reach to Europe and other parts of Asia as the model range grows to full strength.

However, unlike other motor companies which established separate dealer networks when launching their luxury brands, the Genesis models will be sold in the same showrooms as the existing Hyundai cars and crossovers.

Apple Watch launches in India starting at Rs 30,900

John Adebimitan

November 7, 2015

Apple inc. finally launched the Apple Watch in India. The Smartwatch was launched in three variants – Apple Watch Sport, Apple Watch and Apple Watch Edition; it also comes in two sizes—38mm and 42mm.

The device will be available in these colours: yellow gold, rose gold, space black stainless steel, space gray, gold, silver anodized aluminum and polished silver.

The Apple Watch which is 38mm long is sold for Rs 30,900 (approximately US$468, NGN 91,730) and the one which is 42mm long is sold for Rs 34,900 each.

If the device adopts the 38mm and 42mm stainless steel case combined with the white sport band, it will be sold at Rs 48,900.

The Apple Watch was introduced around six months back, and it has become the first new product category to be launched ever since Tim Cook took over the reins of the company after Steve Jobs stepped down.

The Apple Watch is also the first new device category that Apple released after they entered the tablet market with the Apple iPad in 2010.

The Apple Watch can be personalized with watch faces gotten from the traditional analog; these are the modular face, chronograph face, jellyfish on the motion face and the animated butterflies face.

The Apple Watch which serves as a timepiece, goes beyond telling time, it also has some specialized functions like the sunrise/sunset, daily activity level and even upcoming calendar events.

Users of the Apple Watch can also swipe up from the Watch face for ‘Glances’ that will quickly show any important information like weather forecast, current location and even the current music.

Health and fitness enthusiasts can also enjoy using the Apple Watch, as the watch comes with an Activity app that gives visual snapshots of daily activities, and with three rings that measure active calories burned and how often you stand or take a break from your workout.

The Workout app also gives detailed metrics required during workout sessions for activities like walking, cycling and running.

The Apple Watch works with all ranges of the iPhone from the iPhone 5 to the latest iPhone 6s. While India has finally gotten the Apple Watch, reports are going round that its successor will be coming around mid-2016.

Google to merge Chrome and Android OS

Emmanuel

October 31, 2015

Internet giants, Google, are planning to merge its Android and Chrome Operating Systems into one unified platform.

A report from The Wall Street Journal during the week had said Google plans to fold its Chrome operating system for personal computers into its Android mobile operating system.

“Chromebooks will get a new, as yet undetermined, name, the people familiar with the matter said. Google plans to retain the Chrome name for its internet browser, which runs on both PCs and mobile devices,”

says the report.

Wall Street Journal added that the two will be united under the Android name, which will give PCs that use the operating system access to the Google Play app store.

Almost immediately after the Journal’s original report, conflicting stories began to pop up.

While most tabloids said the Chrome OS would be killed off, Business Insider said the operating system will live on as an option alongside Android and “a third project that combines the best of both.”

TechCrunch also corroborated Business Inside and disputed that Chrome OS would be killed off.

However a Google spokesperson according to The Verge has confirmed that both Chrome OS and Android will continue to exist, and that Chrome OS is not being “killed.”

It is now believed that Chrome OS and Android will combine and that Google plans to preview the combined new OS in 2016 and launch the final version in 2017.

The report to kill the Chrome OS seemed surprising as Chromebooks have been fairly successful and are a great low-cost computer option.

Sundar Pichai, Google’s Chief Executive Officer, was put in charge of both Chrome and Android two years ago, and he’s made moves to bring the two operating systems closer in that time.

This includes adding support for Android apps inside of Chrome OS. Though support is still limited, some Android apps are up and running on Chromebooks

The move marks an effort at Google to reduce the number of independent platforms it has to maintain,

However 2017 is still far away and it’s fair to assume a lot could change between now and then.

2015 Ford Everest gets Five-Star ANCAP Safety Rating

John Adebimitan

October 29, 2015

The Australasian New Car Assessment Program awarded Ford a five-star safety rating on the 2015 Ford Everest.

The Ford Everest posted five-star after getting a score of 35.98 out of a possible 37. Only Trend 4×4 was tested, but this rating applies to all the other variants of the Ford Everest SUVs as well.

The Car’s standard safety features were checked and passed. Some of the safety features that were found on the seven-seater Ford Everest included a full range of airbags that are provided for the front driver and the front passenger.

Knee airbags were also provided for the driver, and there is a chest and head protection in place for the seats on the first and second rows, while only a head protection was provided for seats on the third row.

The 2015 Ford Everest also has an Electronic Stability Control (ESC), an Electronic Brake Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and a seat belt reminder that notifies passengers before the car is started.

The 2015 Ford Everest scored 15.38 points and a maximum of 16 points for the frontal offset and side impact tests respectively.

The Ford Everest’s whiplash protection was also marked “good” while the pedestrian protection was marked “acceptable”, getting 25.02 rating out of 36 points.

The second-generation Ford Everest made its debut this year at a motor show in Bangkok. The Ford Everest was built on the Ford Ranger’s T6 platform, and gives customers a choice of choosing either the 3.2 litre or the 2.2 litre diesel engines.

With the Ford Ranger making a grand entry into the market after its debut locally, we can expect to see a new car with some of the best features and one that is designed to provide safety. Customers will also have the opportunity to choose from three different variants of this car.

Toyota Fortuner 2016 Refresh

John Adebimitan

October 28, 2015

Toyota has been able to completely take over the premium SUV segment with one of its range of products—the Toyota Fortuner.

The Toyota Fortuner continues to sell in large numbers, and there is no indication that it is aging in the eyes of the customers. With enough confidence and enthusiasm, Toyota is planning to launch the brand new Toyota Fortuner.

The Toyota Fortuner has a very large slanted chromed grille flanked by LED DRLs and projector headlamps. The front bumper is in three dimensions and it packs more power when compared to the older Toyota Fortuner.

The car has bold character lines that run across the doors between the front and the rear fenders; the C-pillar is now black, making it produce a “floating roof” effect.

The Fortuner also has side steps, a shark-fin antenna, roof rails and stunning 18-inch wheels. The Toyota Fortuner is 4,795mm in length, 1,855mm in width, and 1, 835mm in height.

The car is to get bigger than the present version but it will continue to feature a body-on-frame chassis.

The new Toyota Fortuner comes with a very classy and flashy cabin. Toyota adopted a two-tone colour scheme and a brand new dashboard.

The centre console is the home to a touch screen audio navigation device along with two controls for the automatic climate change. The new instrument panel now comes with a twin pod setup and a digital readout in the middle.

The car which stills maintains its 2-3-2 seat configuration comes with a different engine design. The present 2.5litre diesel unit will be replaced by a better 2.4litre diesel unit. Similarly, a 2.8litre diesel motor will replace the 3.0litre diesel motor.

The new 4WD technology will replace the 4×4 version. The car also comes with a rear differential lock and a Hill Decent Control. This new Toyota Fortuner is an “updated” version of the older Toyota Fortuner.

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